Stigma and Discrimination

Young people say they are often not taken seriously by adults when it comes to mental health and many are uncomfortable to speak out about their worries for fear of the consequences. And that is where stigma starts.

Sometimes, it's hard to understand what's going on in our head or be able to explain how you are feeling. But for some 'coming out' about their mental health problems can be empowering and improves self belief and confidence. At the end of the day everyone should be encouraged to believe in their life goals - whatever they might be.

Ending mental health stigma with young people is a really positive step towards a lasting and sustained culture shift in our society.

Self Stigma

Fear of stigma and discrimination means that many people experience self stigma.

Anyone with mental health problems can start to believe what is being said about their illness from what others say publicly.

Self-stigma presents as a series of stages: awareness, agreement with stigma, application of the stigma and stigma to themselves and finally harm to themselves such as social isolation.

It can lead young people into believing that they aren't capable of things such as doing well at school, going onto further education, getting a job or forming positive relationships. This can result in them withdrawing, feeling frustrated, angry, experience low self esteem and lack of confidence in their future.

Everyone has the right to lead a fulfilled life and people who intimidate others or make them feel worthless need to be challenged.

For some 'coming out' about their mental health problems can be empowering and improves self belief and confidence. People should be encouraged to believe in their life goals - whatever they might be.

Prejudice

Prejudice is when people form an opinion before becoming aware of and understanding the relevant facts.

Prejudice can also stir up emotional responses such as fear or anger towards the people who are being stigmatised. These judgemental preconceptions endorse negative stereotypes which can have a major impact on someone who experiences mental health problems. These attitudes can have a major impact on people's lives - making them feel worse about themselves and hindering recovery.

“You aren't ill with depression, you’re just lazy ”

“You must be violent if you have mental health problems”

“You just like to be organised and clean, that isn't an illness ”

“If you only had a job then you wouldn't be feeling sorry for yourself”

Discrimination

Discrimination is when someone treats you less positively or appropriately than other people because of your mental ill-health.

Examples of discriminatory behaviour:

Not inviting someone for a job interview based on disclosure of a mental health problem

Failing to make 'reasonable adjustments' in work

Failing to take a patient’s concerns seriously including dismissing physical health conditions due to mental health history

Harassment, intimidation, name calling, humiliation, degradation

This is the kind of behaviour that we need to stop. By speaking up and speaking out we can change attitudes and lives.